Harry (Trip) Kahn III

Bucks People

by Margo Aramian Ragan

Some people yawn their way through life; Harry Kahn III of Quakertown can't find enough time in the day to work on all the projects he is thinking about. Trip, a family tag given that he was the third person or triplicate to be named Harry, is an accomplished man with diverse interests; horse rider and jumper, business entrepreneur, commercial property manager, historian, volunteer curator, and now, designer of high end fashion neckties. How he got to here from there makes for a fascinating insight into a very curious mind.

“When I was in grade school, I had to wear a uniform, and a necktie was a part of that uniform,” explained Trip. “I found them to be comfortable. Even after graduation, I still wore neckties because I felt they completed the look I wanted.”

While neckties were a compelling interest, school, or better stated, a formal higher education was not. Trip's mind was focused on being hands-on with ideas and projects that intrigued him and there were many. He admits he couldn't wait to get started with a lifelong habit of educating himself on how to be self sufficient, to identify problems, calculate risks, and solve those problems.

“Just as in colonial days, I apprenticed myself with people who were doing jobs I wanted to do myself,” Trip said. “I offered myself as an apprentice for a race car driver, and as a helper to a millwright who taught me the finer points of working with wood. I asked for no salary, just to get the training and experience, but I often was paid once I became competent with the tasks.”

While Trip was self-educating himself, he was continuing to ride horses, a passion since he was nine years old. “I could see the logistical problems of setting up standards and fences for horse jumping meets, and I wanted to figure out a better way of doing the job,” said Trip. “I got the idea of manufacturing prefab units that would be easily assembled, lightweight yet sturdy enough for the activity itself, then disassembled, and available to be sent to horse meets all over the country.”

To finish reading this story about Harry (Trip) Kahn III, turn to page 68 in the Spring 2015 issue of Bucks County Magazine.